Our latest poll is still running, and we are only looking for a few more votes: Should a medal be given for each and every tournament won? Please stop by the Suggestion Thread and vote.

Hello again.Even though this is a little late, with St. Paddy's day being a week ago I thought I would write about it. I hope you had fun, because I sure did. In this article is a little interview between yours truly and Oaktown, the creator of the St. Paddy's day map. First some fun facts about the St. Paddys day celebration.1.Over 3 days exactly 5,883 games were completed.2.Thats 1,961 games a day.3.And about 82 every hour.

Now a interview with the one, the only, Oaktown. Let's give him a round of applause. (WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO) (Come on OAK) ( )

blacky44: How did you come up with the map? Where did you get your inspiration?

oaktown: I was on a plane over the holidays and I started doodling holiday-themed map ideas... easter eggs, clovers, Santa's North Pole, etc. My first doodles were pretty similar to how the map came out in the end. When I pitched the idea of a short-run holiday map I received positive feedback, so I ran with it. I have to give big props to the rest of the mod team for their help and their secrecy through the process.

blacky44: Will you create another map, like for this Easter? Will there be a party on CC for Easter?

oaktown: I won't be creating an Easter map, but I would like to spring another map on you all sometime down the road. And even if I knew what it would be I probably wouldn't tell... it's really more fun if it's a surprise, isn't it?

blacky44: Will this map be used next year?

oaktown: Can't really say - that'll be up to the admins to decide. Since I can't seem to get a break in any of my games on the map, I'd like a second crack at it next year!

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks News Hound. This is blacky44 saying Peace Out.

Here are how some of the currently ongoing tournaments are progressing. Just click the title to visit the thread. Want your tournament listed here? Use the form at the end of this letter!

The Five ElementsOrganiser: Kinnison5x5 divisional play, Hyper-round robin (every combination of 3-, 4-, 5-players, with guaranteed home advantage against EACH combination). 60 games per division, 44 per player (per round). One elimination Round. Each Division Winner advances to a single Final Division.Elimination round ~25% complete. Expected Tournament Completion : August, 2009.

Trippel TrappelOrganiser: PaulusHUsing a 6x6 windmill setupEverybody played a nice Poker game, so time to go to USAPlanned End Date: 5 May

Mac Dinner DateOrganiser: PaulusHUsing a 5x5 windmill setupkeeper16 will become overall winner but the dinner date still continuesPlanned end date: 10 October

This week we had the chance to talk with vykingsfan64. All the questions in the interview are based off input from newsletter readers. Check in next week for another tournament interview.

Now, on with the Interview!

Q: Hello, vykingsfan64.

A: Hello Gozar.

Q:What makes you interview worthy?

A: I am a man of many words and personalities.

Q:How did you find this website?

A: The great and powerful Google.

Q: Why did you join CC?

A: We were sitting around at work talking about that "famous world dominating board game" so I thought I would try to find one like it to play online.

Q:Why did you start to play tournaments?

A: Just to put more meaning behind the games.

Q:What made you want to start running tournaments?

A: I just woke up one morning with an idea for a tournament so I started it.

Q: How long have you been organizing tournaments?

A: Almost 2 years now.

Q:What tournament did you first run?

A: Classic Ladder - it just finished by the way.

Q: Where did you come up with your tournament ideas?

A: The voices in my head tell me ideas.

Q: Who do you look to for inspiration when organizing your tournaments?

A: All the other organizers out there.

Q: Describe the experience of your first tournament ran, and first played in.

A: Excited and thrilled to be a part of them.

Q:Tell us about your overall tournament experience from when you first joined a tournament to the present day. How has it changed for you? Is it a better experience than before? Worse?

A: I have played and enjoyed many tournaments so far. I think their are many organizers who do a great job.

Q: How many tournaments have you run already, and do you have a goal in mind for how many you want to run in total before you "retire"? How many are you running right now?

A: I have run only 2 tournaments so far because they took a long time to complete. I plan on starting another one here in the near future.

Q:What tournaments have you organized?

A: Classic Ladder and 2008 MLB

Q:What is your favourite tournament you have run?

A: I really enjoyed 2008 MLB because it is sports related.

Q: What is your favorite tournament you’ve played in? Why?

A: Easily it is flex's NCAA College Hoops tourney's. He does an outstanding job with the standings and his news stories.

Q:Do you prefer to run or enter tournaments?

A: It doesn't matter to me, I enjoy both!

Q: Is there a specific type of format that you tend to gravitate towards? Why? Is there a format that is your favourite? What about other peoples' tournaments?

A: I really prefer the sports themed tournaments.

Q:Are you selective about which types of tournaments you join or do you join just about everything you can fit into your personal game load? If you are selective, do you look for certain styles or organizers?

A: I guess I would say I tend to play as many as I can. I usually will play anything from the same organizers I've played for before.

Q:What would be your dream tournament if someone were to offer to run it for you so that you just had to show up and play? Or, have you already participated in your dream tournament?

A: It doesn't get any better than flex's NCAA College Hoops tourney's. If you like to play 1vs1 games, you have to play in this.

Q: Do you find it easier to choose tournament settings yourself, or to let the players customize them?

A: Choosing settings myself.

Q: Overall, are you playing a lot in tournaments? If not, then why and where do you find your games to play?

A: I usually have about 10 going at a time. Right now I'm down to about 5 because I have been pretty busy lately.

Q: How excited where you with your first CC win?

A: Ecstatic!

Q:Have you ever won a tournament?

A: Yes, I believe I have won 4.

Q: What is your most disappointing tournament loss to date?

A: I was playing a blind doubles tourney and made the championship game. After the 2nd turn my partner disappears and deadbeats the game. Probably Optimus Prime's easiest win ever!

Q: In your mind, what makes a successful tournament?

A: One that starts and finishes.

Q: What do you consider to be the most successful tournaments you've seen run?

A: There have been so many great tournaments, it all goes back to the organizer.

Q:Have you ever been disappointed in a tournament you have run? What about one you entered?

A: Sorry Gozar, but I was really sad to see the "Longwalk" get abandoned. My team was in 1st place you know!

Q: What makes a successful organizer?

A: One that is very organized and keeps the players updated.

Q: How do you attract players to your tournament, and what aspect (besides a reward of a premium prize or something like that) of a tournament do you think appeals to a lot of players and why?

A:There are just so many different kinds of games and settings that if you are looking to play, you will find something.

Q: Is there anything in particular that you dislike about tournament organizing?

A: Making all the games. (Almost 2,500 just for MLB)

Q: For you, what is the best part of being a tournament organizer?

A: Just nice to know I have come up with something that other people enjoy playing in.

Q: What mistakes do you see tournament organizers make the most?

A: Not keeping players updated.

Q: With experience comes the wisdom of knowing what mistakes you've made in the past so you can avoid them in the future. What mistakes have you made in your tournaments that you are sure to avoid in future tournaments?

A: Making sure I have the time needed for the tourney I am running.

Q:What is your opinion on organizer neutrality? Should organizers be allowed to place themselves against their own clanmates in tournaments? Should organizers be allowed to join their own tournaments at all?

A: Yes, I don't see why not.

Q: Do you use a "schedule" for updating your tournaments, or do you just wait until they need an update?

A: I try to update before the next round of games begin.

Q:Should “question marks” be allowed to join tournaments?

A: Sorry newbies, but my answer is NO.

Q:Do you feel it is better to give a bye to players whose opponents deadbeats the tournament, or to use a reserve?

A: I try to use reserves whenever possible.

Q: If you could change one thing about Conquer Club in general, what would it be?

A: Getting rid of or stopping all these makings of new maps.

Q: If there was something that the Conquer Club administrators could implement into the game to make tournaments easier to manage, what would it be? Similarly, is there anything you would like to see taken away from Conquer Club to make running tournaments easier?

A: Can't think of anything at the moment.

Q: Is there anything that you would recommend to encourage new tournament organizers?

A: Don't be afraid to ask for help. There are many great organizers here who are willing to help out and give advise if you need it.

Q: List your top 5 biggest tournament headache's to this point

A: I really only have 1, DEADBEATS.

Q:How much time does CC take from your day?

A:Let's see, I'm at work 10 hours a day so that would be 9/12 hours or so.

Q:Are you a member of any clans or usergroups?

A: No, I don't play well with others.

Q:Who are you?

A: A 33 year old male who has been told he looks like "Tackleberry" from those Police Academy movies.

Q: Why did you pick the name vykingsfan64?

A: My favorite football player was Randall McDaniel. Congratulations to him for making it into the Hall of Fame this year.

Q:Where are you from?

A: Minnesota

Q:Favourite play colour?

A: Blue, easiest to see.

Q:Favourite and least favourite map?

A: I like the USA map the best. I really hate all those gimmicky maps (They know who they are: AOR and AOM and stuff)

Q:Favourite settings?

A: Seqential, Flat, Chained, No Fog

Q:Freestyle or sequential?

A: Sequential, Freestyle is for cheaters!

Q: Any tournaments planned for the future? What are they?

A: Classic Ladder 2 -trying to think of a way to be 1vs1 this time.

Q: Any parting shots?

A: Packers Suck!

Q: Thank you for your time.

A: No Gozar, Thank You!

More fun next issue!

Notes

If you want your tournament included in a future issue, please PM Gozar using this form: